The Big Chill

What might have been a meaningful exploration of the changes wrought by 20 years of abrasive reality is diverted, essentially, into who's going to wind up sleeping with whom.

...even though it's aware of their narcissism, The Big Chill still views its characters sympathetically, even when they do little to invite much sympathy themselves.

Characters are generally middle-of-the-roaders, and pic lacks a tough-minded spokesman who might bring them all up short for a moment.

An entertaining look at the 80s embourgeoisement of 60s student activists steers skillfully between social satire and sentiment.

An irresistibly satisfying cultural artifact.

There is no place for depth or nuance in this slickly engineered complacency machine.

The film is as disappointing as being alive, but I must hastily add that it is very carefully prepared for the screen; at all times, it looks natural and the acting is superb.

The Big Chill‘s blunt suggestion that one may not have lived up to their younger self’s dreams or morals hits a universal nerve to this day.

Uses its ensemble cast superbly to create both a spiky and life affirming comedy drama.

As funny, deeply felt, and expressive of its characters' pain as the film is -- and I've always loved it, since watching it many times on HBO at age 18 -- today it's fascinating for its obtuseness.